• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제19권9호
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• pp.1257-1261
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• 2006

Pleiomorphic adenoma gene-like1 (PLAGL1) encodes a zinc-finger (ZF) protein with seven ZFs of the C2H2-type which is a regulator of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest, and also regulates the secretion of insulin. In both human and mouse, PLAGL1 is a candidate gene for tumor suppressor and transient neonatal diabetes mellitus (TNDM). In this study, a 2,238 bp fragment covering the complete coding region was obtained and deposited to GenBank (accession number: DQ288899). The reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) indicated that PLAGL1 was expressed almost equally in heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, stomach, small intestine, skeletal muscle, fat, uterus and ovary. Comparing the sequences of Large White and Meishan pigs, a C-T transition in exon 6 was found. The polymorphism could be detected by TaqI and was genotyped in five purebreds (Large White, Landrace, Meishan, Tongcheng and Bamei). Association analysis was performed between the polymorphism and carcass traits in 276 pigs of a "Large White${\times}$Meishan" F2 resource population. As a consequence, significant associations of the genotypes with shoulder backfat thickness (SFT) and internal fat rate (IFR) were observed. Pigs with TT genotype had low SFT and high IFR compared with TC or CC genotypes.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제27권5호
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• pp.743-748
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• 2014

The objective of this study was to determine the molecular characteristics of the horse vascular endothelial growth factor alpha gene ($VEGF{\alpha}$) by constructing a phylogenetic tree, and to investigate gene expression profiles in tissues and blood leukocytes after exercise for development of suitable biomarkers. Using published amino acid sequences of other vertebrate species (human, chimpanzee, mouse, rat, cow, pig, chicken and dog), we constructed a phylogenetic tree which showed that equine $VEGF{\alpha}$ belonged to the same clade of the pig $VEGF{\alpha}$. Analysis for synonymous (Ks) and non-synonymous substitution ratios (Ka) revealed that the horse $VEGF{\alpha}$ underwent positive selection. RNA was extracted from blood samples before and after exercise and different tissue samples of three horses. Expression analyses using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and quantitative-polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) showed ubiquitous expression of $VEGF{\alpha}$ mRNA in skeletal muscle, kidney, thyroid, lung, appendix, colon, spinal cord, and heart tissues. Analysis of differential expression of $VEGF{\alpha}$ gene in blood leukocytes after exercise indicated a unimodal pattern. These results will be useful in developing biomarkers that can predict the recovery capacity of racing horses.

• 한국식품영양학회지
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• 제30권2호
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• pp.371-377
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• 2017

Muscle atrophy is characterized by a decrease in the mass of the muscle. With an increase in life expectancy and chronic illnesses, the incidence of muscle atrophy is increasing and the quality of life of patients is decreasing. Thus, reducing muscle atrophy is of high clinical and socio-economic importance. Mistletoe is a semi-parasitic plant that has been used as a traditional medicine in many countries to treat various human illnesses. It has been reported that Korean mistletoe extract (KME) has diverse biological functions including anti-tumor, anti-oxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-obesity properties, and extension of lifespan. Especially, we have recently reported that KME improves exercise endurance in mice, indicating its beneficial roles in enhancing the capacity of skeletal muscle. In this study, we investigated whether KME could activate the signaling pathway related to protein synthesis in a mouse model of muscle atrophy. Interestingly, KME efficiently activated the Akt/mTOR pathway, and Akt and mTOR are important signaling hub molecules for the acceleration of protein synthesis in muscle cells. In addition, KME also increased the activity of S6 kinase which is involved in the regulation of muscle cell size. Moreover, the ERK activity, required for transcription of ribosomal RNA for protein synthesis, was also enhanced in KME-treated mouse muscle. These data support the idea that KME increases muscle mass via increased protein synthesis. Our findings also suggest that Korean mistletoe might be a promising candidate for the development of functional foods that are beneficial for preventing muscle atrophy.

• 대한한의학원전학회지
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• 제21권3호
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• pp.297-306
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• 2008

Background : Gigong(氣功, Qigong) is one energy-healing intervention used to prevent and cure ailments and to improve health through regular practice. Although Gigong(氣功, Qigong) - neither itself nor its postulated mechanism of action - are within the paradigm of modern Western medical science, effects on the human body could be possible. Objectives : This study aims to review the bibliography, biological responses and therapeutic effects of Gigong. In the process, this review will grasp trends in this field of studies and will direct further researches into the right direction. Method : The computerized Korean databases were searched from their respective inceptions up to January 2008. The search terms used were 'Gi(氣, Qi)', 'Gigong(氣功, Qigong)', 'Doin(導引)', 'Training', 'Bioenergy', 'life nurturing' and random or Korean language terms related to Gigong. Several specialized journals were also manually searched for relevant articles. Result : Since the 1990's, Gigong papers in the Korean Literature is increased. Clinical research studies are among the most control design study. Research subjects are less patient than the general public. The most common treatment disease was Musculo-skeletal disorder Conclusions : The depth study for the each Gigong(氣功, Qigong) is needed. Specifically, I think it should be a clinical studies and qualitative research methods for evaluation are needed.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제15권4호
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• pp.722-727
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• 2005

Cytosolic sialidase (Neu2), a member of the sialidase family that is responsible for hydrolysis of sialic acid from the terminal position of sialoglycoconjugates, is poorly expressed in skeletal muscle and not detected in any other adult tissues. Thus, we isolated Neu2 cDNA using splicing by overlap extension (SOEing). In order to further characterize this enzyme, a His-tagged derivative was expressed in the bacterial expression system and purified by $Ni^{2+}$-affinity chromatography. A recombinant product of approximately 42 kDa had sialidase activity toward 4-methyl-umbelliferyl-$\alpha$-D-N-acetylneuraminic acid (4MU-NeuAc). The optimal pH and temperature of the recombinant Neu2 for 4MU-NeuAc was 6.0 and $37.5^{\circ}C$, respectively. The metal ions, such as $Cu^{2+}\;and\;Cd^{2+}$, showed strong inhibitory effect on the activity of the enzyme. The enzyme efficiently hydrolyzed the gangliosides GM3 and GD3 and had relatively low activities on ganglioside GD1a and GD1b, $\alpha$2-3 sialyllactose, and sialylated glycoproteins such as fetuin, transferrin, and orsomucoid, but had hardly any activities on $\alpha$2-6 sialyllactose and ganglioside GM1 and GM2. We concluded that the recombinant Neu2 has a sialidase activity toward glycoproteins as well as gangliosides.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• 제35권3호
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• pp.239-245
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• 2011

The overexpression of Phosphoprotein Enriched in Astrocytes (PEA15) gene is commonly found in human diabetic patients. The overexpression of this gene in skeletal muscle and fat tissues have been reported to cause insulin resistance, thereby impairing insulin stimulated glucose uptake. We introduced a gene of mouse PEA15 (mPEA15) and enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) into fertilized one cell pig zygotes using microinjection, and produced a piglet that showed overexpression of mPEA15 in the muscle tissues and expression of EGFP in the ear tissues and hooves. RT-PCR RFLP, southern blot and FISH analysis showed that the tissues carried the transgene. Real-time RT-PCR and western blots demonstrated that PEA15 gene was overexpressed in the various tissues and muscle tissues, respectively. These fads suggest that expression vector system is normally expressed in the transgenic (TG) pigs. To use as animal diseases model for type 2 diabetes, further study is necessary to confirm whether diabetes occur in these TG pigs, especially insulin resistance.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제20권10호
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• pp.1485-1489
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• 2007

Achaete-scute like 2 (ASCL2) gene encodes a member of the basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor which is essential for the maintenance of proliferating trophoblasts during placental development. ASCL2 gene preferentially expresses the maternal allele in the mouse. However, it escapes genomic imprinting in the human. In this study, the complete open reading frame consisting of 193 amino acids of ASCL2 gene was obtained. Sequence analysis indicated that a C-G mutation existed in the 3' region between Meishan and Large White pigs. The polymorphism was used to determine the monoallelic or biallelic expression with RT-PCR-RFLP in pigs of Large $White{\times}Meishan$ $F_1$ hybrids. Imprinting analysis indicated that the ASCL2 gene expression was biallelic in all the tested tissues (heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, stomach, small intestine, skeletal muscle, fat, uterus, ovary and pituitary). PCR-RFLP was used to detect the polymorphism in 270 pigs of the "$Large\;White{\times}Meishan$" $F_2$ resource population. The statistical results showed highly significant associations of the genotypes and fat meat percentage (FMP), lean meat percentage (LMP) and ratio of lean to fat (RLF) (p<0.01), and significant associations of the genotypes and loin eye area (LEA) and internal fat rate (IFR) (p<0.05).

• 한국응용과학기술학회지
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• 제36권4호
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• pp.1164-1171
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• 2019

Dietary supplements derived from natural sources are an essential factor in optimizing athletic performance. It has been proposed that the extract of Momordica charantia (M. charantia) that is known as a bitter melon can be potentially used as a novel supplement for health promotion. This pilot study aimed to examine the effects of the M. charantia extract when administered in the form of a sports drink, and we evaluated changes in body composition and metabolic factors in tennis players after 4-week consumption of the extract. Eight male college tennis players were instructed to consume an M. charantia extract 6 times per day (3 in the morning and 3 in the afternoon, and the total daily intake was 600 ml). Collected data were analyzed using paired t-tests to examine the changes over time after consumption of the M. charantia extract. The results revealed a significant increase in the trunk muscle mass, basal metabolic rate, and daily calorie intake (p < 0.05). Levels of protein, minerals, and total body water showed an increased tendency (not statistically significant), whereas intracellular water and extracellular water showed a decreased trend. Furthermore, fat-free mass, skeletal muscle mass, and muscle mass showed an increased tendency. In conclusion, consumption of the M. charantia extract caused an increase in parameters related to protein, muscle mass, and metabolism. It seems that follow-up studies related to fatigue, inflammation, and stress hormones related to the M. charantia extract consumption would be needed.

• Animal cells and systems
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• 제12권1호
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• pp.23-33
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• 2008

The Zic family is a group of genes encoding zinc finger proteins that are highly expressed in the mammalian cerebellum. Zic genes are the vertebrate homologue of Drosophila pair-rule gene, odd-paired(opa), which plays important roles in the parasegmental subdivision as well as in the visceral mesoderm development of Drosophila embryos. Recent studies on human, mouse, frog, fish and ascidian Zic homologues support that Zic genes are involved in a variety of developmental processes, including neurogenesis, myogenesis, skeletal patterning, and left-right axis establishment. In an effort to explore possible functions of Zic proteins during vertebrate embryogenesis, we initially examined more detailed expression pattern of zebrafish homologue of zic3(zic3z). zic3z transcripts are detected in the neuroectoderm, neural plate, dorsal neural tube, and brain regions including eye field during early embryonic development. Marker DNA studies found that zic3z transcription is modulated by BMP, Wnt, and Nodal signals particularly in the dorsal and vegetal neuroectoderm at gastrula. Interfering with zic3z translation with zic3z-specific morpholino causes abnormal brain formation and expansion of the optic stalk cells. Retinal ganglion cells(RGCs) undergo abnormal neuronal differentiation. These findings suggest that zic3z defines the dorsal and vegetal neuroectoderm to specify brain formation and retinal neurogenesis during early embryonic development.

• 한국의류산업학회지
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• 제17권6호
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• pp.881-894
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• 2015

The silver generation have clothing style of optimal daily life comparing than young generation because they do not participate a specific sport event but daily- life exercise. As the human body ages, the figure of the silver generation shows different body shape because upper body changes to curved figure including the belly and waist part. Therefore, clothing characteristics for the silver generation should be considered with proper function, design and textiles to optimize body movement. This study investigated various exercise types according to motion analysis of the silver generation in order to develop the design of the active T-shirts reflecting the structural properties and providing the optimum exercise circumstance. The results to consider design needs are as followed; As the T-shirts design for the flexible exercise which required frequent movement of upper body such as bending and waist twisting during body stretching, a stretch fabric applied to the waist part considering T-shirts allowance and length to make extreme elongation and support for well-fitting appearance of the T-shirts. As the T-shirts design for the instantaneous reactionary exercise, high elastic four-way stretch fabric is applied to the part of arm hole to optimize skeletal and muscle movement for entire body and arm work. As the T-shirts design for the endurance exercise such as climbing, cycling, and walking, the shoulder line of the back part has cutting line allowance to make optimum movement of the upper body but no change of the waist part.